Leadership In Exponential Times

Five critical behavioral guidelines for leaders

I recently had the opportunity to make a close comparison in leadership needs between two nations that operate on completely different levels: the USA and Suriname, in South America. In many regards, it would seem as if these two nations reside on different planets. Yet, at the conclusion of a keynote speech I was conducting in Suriname, I was bombarded with questions that revealed to me just how much commonalities there are in leadership needs, regardless of development, size, or operation levels of any society.
 

Here are some of my findings about the needs that exist in today’s and near future’s leadership performance:
 

1. Leadership is no longer limited to the acts of those who happen to fulfill direction in formal settings. There are many assigned “leaders” (corporate, national and regional) that have no clue about the behavior real leaders should exert. In our day and age, we should realize that leadership begins with our own performance when no one else sees or hears what we do. True leadership is an act of responsibility, drive, resilience, and moral awareness, developed over time, and continuously polished to the current and future needs of society. Wrapped in this perspective we find elements of compassion, emotional intelligence, empathy, and a will to constructively elevatethe living and performance qualities of as broad a group of stakeholders (human and non-human) possible.

 

2. Leadership requires frequent and clear communication. Within this scope, it is also critical to understand that communication is not a one-way street. There should be room for reciprocity in respect, clarity, good intentions, and understanding. There should be an opportunity to clear all “noise” that inevitably emerges when communication happens. Good communication in leadership regard happens in a timely manner, with constructive aims, and with fairness, honesty, and courtesy. Today’s and future generations of “followers” are well-educated, determined people, who oftentimes fulfill leadership positions in different settings as well.

 

3. Leadership is most admirable when it is implemented with a balance of dignity and simplicity. Dignity illuminates the way you carry yourself, knowing that there are numerous avenues through which your actions can and will be exposed, and understanding that today’s people, more than ever before, deliberately choose who they want to see and accept as their leaders. Simplicity enhances accessibility. It sets those to whom you provide leadership at ease, and reveals to them that you want to connect with them at a level that ensures collective and constructive growth.

 

4. Leadership is a mission of inspiration, to the self as well as to others. Self-inspiration can be a challenge at times when setbacks seem to be abundant. Yet, leaders are aware that there will always be sunshine after the rain, and they look for ways to re-emerge with refreshed vitality. Inspiring others can also bring challenges, sincenot everyone gets inspired by the same words, acts, or actions. Yet, as long as you focus, and demonstrate goodwill, and as long as you carry yourself in a manner that others experience as authentic, you have a good chance that you will be a source of inspiration.

 

5. Leadership is an act of intense focus. There are multiple interpretations to the concept of focus here:
 

 

These five findings are, of course, not by far a complete list of leadership in our times. Yet, hopefully they will encourage you to consider thinking of additional qualities, tasks, and behaviors that are incorporated in leadership, the way you consider it most appropriate in a world that moves toward greater awareness, increased compassion, and enhanced betterment for the quality of life for all the living.

Joan Marques is Dean and Professor of Management at Woodbury University School of Business. Her most recent book is titled, "Ethical leadership: Progress with a Moral Compass" (Routledge, 2017). Connect Joan Marques